Angela Brito Unveils Spring/summer 2023 Collection at SÃo Paulo Fashion Week

December 8, 2022

Words by The Folklore Team

Rio de Janeiro-based designer Angela Brito showed the latest collection for her eponymous brand at the recently concluded São Paulo Fashion Week, Latin America’s pre-eminent fashion event.

Titled “Estrangeira”, or “foreigner”, the collection explores the concepts of mobility, transit and displacement that comes with migration. The flowing pieces are designed for plenty of movement, and represent the freedom and sense of belonging that everyone should have, wherever they find themselves.

Brito is no stranger to highlighting identity through fashion design; she established her brand in 2014 with the idea of sustainability, identity and freedom of expression. The brand’s AW20 collection entitled, was called “Fuga” – Portuguese for “escape” – and metaphorically represented ideas of displacement and freedom around the world; the idea that displaced individuals can proudly express who they are figuratively and aesthetically through dress.

Originally from Cape Verde, Brito uses her brand to look back at her heritage. Her story as a Black woman in Brazil led her to use her brand to raise questions on race in Brazil’s fashion scene, while taking pride in representing Cape Verdean traditions in her innovative womenswear designs. The clothes are extremely wearable, with elegant and maximalist styles rendered in eye-catching prints and bold colors. It’s clear to see that outside of her native Cape Verde, Angela also takes inspiration from nature, art and geometry.

Displacement, transit, and mobility are concepts intrinsic to human activity, and with “Estrangeira”, Angela Brito aims to create a sartorial discourse on the cultural exchanges, rich experiences and nuanced perspectives that comes from a nomadic culture.